Mother Nature might not be done messing with Valley residents.

When this punishing dose of triple-digit temperatures accompanied by higher-than-normal humidity ends, record rain for the month of August could fall.

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The National Weather Service in Hanford said on its Wednesday morning discussion page that “around one-half of an inch of rain is possible in the San Joaquin Valley south of Madera County (on) Monday.”

And, higher totals of rain are possible in the Sierra Nevada and Kern County mountains.

“If this type of rainfall comes into fruition, flooding will be a concern,” NWS said.

Will be storm chasing in Southern California Sunday/Monday, covering California’s first potential tropical cyclone landfall since 1939.

Significant flash flooding will be the biggest threat, especially in southeast California deserts. pic.twitter.com/d33aTS8W68

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) August 17, 2023

Nearly 18 Inches of Fresno Rain Since October

According to the NWS, 17.81 inches of rain have fallen in the Fresno area since the start of the water year on Oct. 1, 2022.  That compares to a normal of 10.94 inches to date.

Fresno’s wettest August ever was the quarter-inch that fell in 1964.

The weather service said the rain could result from tropical moisture a few hundred miles south of Acapulco, Mexico, spreading north this weekend and into next week.

Heat Will Give Way to a Cooldown on Friday

NWS is predicting highs of 103 degrees for today and Thursday followed by 97 on Friday.

Afternoon highs in the 90s are expected on Saturday and Sunday, with a 20% chance of rain Sunday night and into Monday. Tuesday’s forecast includes a 20% chance of rain.